Connection for spectacle-frames or the like.



PATENTED DEC. 15, 1903.

s. c. LAFLIN. GONNBGTION FOR SPEGTACLE FRAMES OR THE LIKE.

APPLIGATION FILED FEB. 14, 1901.

N0 MODEL.

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UNITED, STATES Patented December 15, 1903.

PAT NT OFFICE.

STEPHEN O. LAFLIN, OF SOUTHBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS.

SPECIFICATION formingpart of Letters Patent No. 746,966, dated December 1:5, 1903. Application filed February 14, 1901. Serial No. 47,279. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, STEPHEN C. LAFLIN,of Southbridge, in the county of Worcester and State of Massachusetts, have invented a new and useful Connection for Spectacle and Eyeglass Frames or the Like, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which.

Figure 1 is a portion of a rimless spectacle, showing attachments in place. Fig. 2 shows part of the bridge withits tang. Fig. 3shows the parts of my improved connection; Fig. 4, the improved strap-blank outside; Fig. 5, the same inside; Fig. 6, a sectional view, enlarged, of my llD proved connection in place. Figs. 7 and 8 indicate variations ofmy improvement.

I have illustrated in the accompanying drawings a, spectacle of the i-imless variety as best adapted to illustrate my invention; but obviously the principle is applicable to spectacles whether they are rimmed or rimless, as well as to eyeglasses.

As heretofore constructed the principal partof the metal connection between the lens and the bridge and the lens and the temple has been a part called the strap. The other part going to make up the necessary connection to connect the lens to the bridge 3 or the bow 4 (see Figs. 1, 2, and 3) has been a tang 5, fast either directly upon the end of the bridge 3 or upon the end of a part 6, to which the templeet is hinged. As heretofore practiced, it has been customary to form this tang 5 ofa cylindrical form and to form in the strap 1 a cylindrical perforation to receive the cylindrical tang 5. in permanently connecting the tang with the strap it has been always practiced to insert the tang into the circular perforation of the strap, and the two,

parts being then clamped together tempora, rily are then permanently connected by soldering upon the outer surface of the strap, and the inner projecting end of the tang is then in anysuitable manner-trim med off flush with the inner surface. of the strap. Obviously this operation of thus uniting the two parts is one of some nicety, requiring the assembling 0f the two parts in their proper re-' lations, so that the bridge or part 6, as the case may be, may when the operation is fin-' ished be at the proper angle to the lens, and

requiring also the careful use of the solder,

so that no more than is necessary may be deposited on the outer surface to show in an unsightly manner. Delicate work and careful adjustment connote skilled labor and the expenditure of time, and a further very serious defect of this method of securing the parts together, which is more espe-. cially felt in the manufacture of'what is known as gold-filled work, is the fact that the heat of the molten solder removes the temper-from the strap and weakens the strap, so that in bending and fitting it is likely to break, or, if this weakening difficulty is to be avoided, compelling the manufacturer to retemper astrap by striking it up the second time. In any event the soldering process is detrimental, either in deteriorating the quality of the finished article or, if deterioration is to be avoided, by compelling the use of an additional step in the process of manufacture with an increased expense to obviate the difficulty. My new connection avoids this difficulty entirely.

'In my new connection the tang 5 is formed square in cross-section, (see Fig. 3,) and the perforation in the strap is also square to fit the tang. (See Figs. tandfi.) Upon the inner surface of the strap and around the inner end of the square perforation a countersink is formed of a suitable depth. (See Fig. 5.) The tang, with its attached part, which latter herein constitutes a shoulder at that end of the tang, is inserted into the strap up to the shoulder and then by suitable means the end is flattened over to form a head, expanding the tang to tightly fill the perforation in the strap and spreading out its projecting end into the countersunkcavity. The result is that the strap, with its attached part, what everit may be, is rigidly and securely clamped and locked on the tang without the use of solderbetween the shoulder and the head,which is made by flattening over or upsetting the end. Obviously when the parts are secured together in this fashion those difliculties and objectionable features which flow from the use of molten solder in making the connection are not present-namely, the sometimesunsightly portion of solder which shows upon the outer surface and the weakening of the strap by detempering the same or the additional expense involved in retempering, if it be thought necessary to do this.

Another advantage flowing from the use of my new connection is that in adjustment and. fitting of the two parts together the shape of the tang and the cooperating perforation is such that they are, it may be said, self-adjusting-that is to say, while careful adjust- -ment is required when the tang is cylindrical in shape and fits in a round hole before permanent connection is made, in order to insure that the two parts shall be secured together at the proper angle, this careful work is not required when the hole is square, for the tang will not enter the hole, except it be in the proper relative position, unless the operator turns the tang at least a one-quarter turn. This is a very considerable advantage and, taken in connection with the fact that no soldering is used to make my new connection, renders it possible to utilize a less skilfnl class of workmen in securing the parts together than was formerly necessary.

I have described the tang and the perforation in the strap in my improved connection as square in cross-section; but obviously this is only the preferred form, what is essential being merely that the tang should be noncircular in crosssection and that the perforation should be suitably shaped to receive the tang, to the end that the tang may be self-adjusting when inserted into the perforation in the strap and that it may resist any tendency to turn upon its axis, While the head prevents disengagement of the parts longitudinally of the tang.

In Figs. 7 and 8 I have shown two shapes of tang and perforation,which while not square are efficient, that of Fig. 7 showing a shape similar to a cylindrical tang keyed in position by a projection, while in Fig. 8 the tang and perforation are oval in shape, as shown.

I clairn '1. An eyeglass or spectacle comprising a lens; a strap mounted on said lens and provided with a non-circular perforation; and a tang fast to a third part of the eyeglass or spectacle and extending into said perforation, within which it is expanded; whereby the parts are rigidly locked in their relative positions.

2. An eyeglass or spectacle comprising a lens; astrap,n1ounted on the lens,made with a non-circular perforation through it which is enlarged at the inner side of the strap; a tang fast to a third part of the eyeglass or spectacle, said tang extending into said perforation and headed at its inner end and expanded by riveting so that it is rigidly locked to the strap.

3. An eyeglass or spectacle comprising a lens; a strap mounted on said lens and provided with a non-circular perforation; and a tang non-circular in cross-section and fitting the non-circular perforation, fast to a third part of the eyeglass or spectacle, and expanded Within the said non-circular perforation byriveting; whereby the parts automatically adjust themselves to their relative positions when brought together and are rigidly locked in place.

STEPHEN O. LAFLIN.

Witnesses:

HERBERT H. OLEMENOE, LEON M. LAMB. 

